Planning for the new breeding season

Yes, with the ringing in of the New Year, we are starting to think about our next litter of puppies. Actually, this year it will hopefully be 2 litters. Our plans are to breed Jessie and Razz. This will be Miss Jessie first litter and the second for Razzy. We are hoping for more black and chocolate mixed litters.

We are also in the process of building a new log cabin style on on the farm, so we are building the girls a new kennel too. We have some new and improved ideas for making the whelping kennel more user (user meaning me, I'm a tad on the short side) friendly.

So much excitement here on old Dragonfly Farm. We can't wait to see who will go into heat first. We've been interviewing potential poppas and will make the choices soon and get everything lined up.

I had a very nice gentleman stop by the farm this afternoon and try and sweet talk me into selling Shallbe. He asked 10 times and 10 times I said no. 10 times he asked how much and 10 times I said, "There is no amount that could pay my heart to send her away!" So Shallbe old girl you're stuck with us!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

Freakish Coincidence

The day after Shallbe got stung, our daughter Jennifer's lab Bella got stung as well. Bella is a pup of Razz's litter from 2007. Jen and Bella live in California close to Mount Shasta.

Jen and Bella were out at the lake for a run when Bella was either stung by a bee or bitten by a spider on her eye lid. She then proceeded to vomit numerous times in Jen's car on the way home. By the time Jen got home Bella's entire face was swollen. Jen loaded Bella back up in the car (more vomiting to ensue) and took a emergency ride over to the vets.

It was a little crazy at the vet's because they were treating two dogs that had been mauled by a bear. Crazy!! Anyway Bella was treated by injection, just like Shallbe. We're happy to report that Bella is fine and doing well. The same can not be said about the smell in Jen's car! PHEWWW.

How Do You Make A Lab Look Like A Chow??

By a bee sting to the face. OUCH! Our poor Shallbe was stung by a bee in the pastures and now her face is huge and swollen. The vet gave us some medicine to take down the swelling and prevent infection, so she should be better in a few days. Poor Pup!!

Unwelcome Visitor

With Razz in heat we've had an unwelcome pit bull male lurking around the kennel. We're are not sure where he lives. I tend to think that he is coming down with hunters on the weekends. I have never seen him during the week, only on the weekends. He is collared and seems very gentle. Monte has actually walked right up to him, put a leash on his collar and lend him down the road. He has been "visiting" for about a month. We shoo him off and then don't see him again for about a week, but now with Razz in heat we can't seem to get our unwelcome guest to leave. He is trying like crazy to find a way into the kennel. Sorry buddy, NO DOIN'!! ( HA, HA) We had to have him removed from the property this weekend.

It really angers me that people assume just because we live in the country that it is okay to let your animal run wild. It is NOT! There is a major highway right next to our farm that semi's barrel down, many natural predators, not to mention farmers that will not tolerate dogs on their farms.

Be responsible dog owner. Protect your animal from the dangers of country life!

Stinky Skunk Dog

Our morning started off with Jessie getting SKUNKED! That is not something you want to deal with before you have even had breakfast! This happens a couple times a year on the old farm. Thought I would share the remedy for this stinky problem.

Here is the formula to get rid of SKUNK.

One quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
One quarter cup baking soda
One teaspoon strong liquid soap
The ingredients will fizz when mixed together. Use the mixture while it's still foaming.

Bathe your dog as soon as possible preferably before the dog's coat dries with the SKUNK spray on it.

Remember to wear rubber gloves and old clothing! Or you too will have ode de skunk!

Last Hoo Rah!

Saturday was quite the adventure. We loaded the last 3 boys up at 4 o'clock in the morning to set out for Indianapolis. The puppies were SO good, we couldn't believe it. The never whined or made a peep unless they need to stop to do their business.

When we did stop for a potty break they caused a ruckus everywhere we stopped! They would gather a crowd and put on a very interesting show. Who wouldn't love these dogs?? We could have sold them about 10 more times over the course of the trip.

We met with Jamie and the kids outside Indy where they continued the journey. Cookie and Count were picked up in Tiffin, Ohio by their dads. Count was originally supposed to go to a horse farm in Missouri, but that fell through. Now is going to be a hunt dog in Akron, Ohio. Count and Cookie went to two friends that hunt together, so the puppies will get to see each other often. How Awesome!

Boo, now named Charley Brown was picked up yesterday from Jamie's house. The kids had a fantastic time playing with Charley. Lee and his wife almost didn't get him. I received more than 1 call asking if the grand kids could just keep him. Allie told Jamie if Lee looked shabby or shaddy Charlie wasn't leaving. Jamie reassured her that Charley was going to a great family. Next recourse-- maybe Lee wouldn't want Charley. No doing! Charley is going to live the life of a king up in Michigan!!

So all in all it was a great year. Thanks to everyone who purchased a Shallbe puppy and to all those who visited our blog and followed our journey!

Razz came into heat this weekend. Yippy! Although, we don't breed in the winter. Her next cycle should be in early spring with pups in early June, just in time for the grand kids' summer visit!!

Count, Cookie And Boo

Today is the last day of puppies on the farm. Bright and early tomorrow morning we're loading the last 3 boys up for their road trip to Ohio and Michigan. We will hand them off in Indianapolis to Jamie and Allie. These boys are the sweetest boys so far! They come running just to sit in your lap!! I will miss the puppies once they're gone. Even though they're LOTS of work, it's all worth it. I had hoped to keep 1 pup to train out, like last year, but no such luck. Everyone found a good home straight away. As it should be!

No More Puppies

Well our last unsold puppy just left the farm! Krispie is going to live down the road a bit to be gun dog. Our neighbor is an avid hunter and Krispie will live the good life of a duck dog.

We have a trip to Michigan/Ohio in a week to drop off 3 more puppies and then our 2008 puppy season will be over. It's always a bit sad to have the puppies leave, but everyone is going to join a great family. Some pups will be gun dogs and some a family pet, but we know they will all be happy!

8..7..6..5..4..3..2.. and 1 Puppy Left!!

Cocoa Puff left the farm today to go live in Jonesboro with Haley and Chance and be a hunt dog! We know that she will make a very good hunt companion and we look forward to watching her grow into her full potential. Also, maybe we'll get an invite to come down there and hunt with the girls. Hint Hint! As a bonus she gets to stay a Razorback! GO HOGS!

**Not sure why photo is so small. Sorry.

Our Last Two Arkansas Babies

Cocoa Krispie


Krispie is super scrappy and can hold her own with the rough and tumble boys. She is our "little" girl weighing in at 14 pounds. Don't let her size fool ya a couple of pounds doesn't make any difference to this girl!! She is the farm favorite because she is so spunky! Personalty to spare!

Cocoa Puff



Puff the student. She is a super quick learner and loves a good belly rub! She continues to show great hunt promise, loves the water and loves to sniff out upland game. Also, loves a good ear rub. Not much she doesn't love! Pleasantly butterballish at 17 pounds, barley shy of the boys! Super pup!

Puppies at 7 Weeks

Sugar Bomb was the bomb!

Another puppy has left old Dragonfly Farm! Sugar Bomb went home to Little Rock with her new mom, Angie. Angie produces outdoor programming for ESPN. She is also the creator of a show called "Water Dog" that airs on the Versus channel.

So... they are a perfect match! We couldn't be happier that Sugar Bomb found such a wonderful home! Angie is planning on writing an editorial blog for ESPNOUTDOORS.com about life with a new puppy. Who knew our little Sugar Bomb was going to be famous??!! We are so proud. As soon as she's up and running we'll link to her blog so you can get updates of life off the farm.

So Long, Farwell, Aufverdersane...GoodBye

Yesterday, Chuck and Chuck of Crook's Kennel came to pick up their two puppies. 1 boy pup for allowing us to use Drake as the Papa! Thanks Crooks' and thanks Drake. Fine job old boy! And 1 girl pup because they couldn't resist. Shallbe is of really good lineage, War Eagle breeding is very desirable. So, off they left with 2 new puppies.

Well, we sadly say goodbye to Cap'n Crunch and Cocoa Pebbles! This part is always hard because we come to love the puppies so much, but know that they will make great dogs for their lucky new owners. Although, this morning was sorta nice only have to chase 6 puppies instead of 8! I think Shallbe is ready to move on as well. Her milk is beginning to dry up and I don't envy her feeding job with all those puppy teeth! OUCH!

Puppy Weigh-IN

I've been getting a lot of questions as to what the puppies weigh and how big they are. Well here is the answer. Fat & Big!! This weigh in is 6.1 weeks of age. When I say they are fat butterballs, I ain't lyin'!


Cap'n Crunch 17 pounds
Count Chocula 16 pounds
Cookie Crisp 14.5 pounds
Boo Berry 15.5 pounds

Sugar Bomb 12 pounds

Cocoa Pebbles 11.5 pounds
Cocoa Krispie 13.5 pounds
Cocoa Puff 15 pounds

Chocolate Lab Swim Lesson Video

Black Lab Swim Lesson Video

Puppies' Afternoon At The Lake

Yesterday was the big day, first day of swim lessons!! Although they don't really need lessons. We have taken them to the lake before, but haven't let them swim only wade. Well, today EVERYONE went for a dip. Labs are naturally inclined to go in the water and the puppies were no different. We had a harder time getting them to come OUT than go in!

Boo Berry

Boo Berry our resident sniffer, he sniffs everything! Just look at that nose. So cute! He is curious about everything and seems most curious about the lake. He is one of the puppies that didn't run and hide at the intro to gun. He just kept right on eating! Gun dog for sure! Weighed 8.1 pounds 9/25.

Introducing Count Chocula and Cocoa Puff

Count Chocula! What a ham! Energetic and funny. Second Biggest boy at 8.4 pounds. Weighed 9/25



Cocoa Puff! She is a sweet girl. Shows great hunting promise. Can you tell by her pounce? Almost as big as her brothers at just barely shy of 8 pounds. Weighed 9/25

Chow Time

Pack of Wild Pups

Puppies, Puppies Everywhere!

Back to the Vet

Well, we piled those puppies up once again for another trip to the vet. They are getting so big that they hardly fit in the wire kennel. They are much larger than Razz's puppies last year. Each pup is weighing at least 5 pounds, some almost 6. HOLY MOLY!! That's about a pound more than Razzy's puppies at the same age. It's getting harder to herd them all up now. They are so mobile that they are climbing over the divider wall in the new whelping box. They are so cute they look like little wind up doggies, all fluffy and fat!! I will post some pictures in the next few days!

Pile O' Puppies

Seems the puppies like to sleep in one big pile on their backs!

Howling At The Moon

The puppies have learned how to howl! It's funny during the day, but not so much at night! The moon was shining bright last night and they decided to howl and howl and howl. Hope the neighbors didn't mind.

The Dad

Everyone has been asking about he puppies' dad. Well, here he is. His name is Drake, and he is an AKC Hunt Champion. He is one of the Crooks' best male dogs (that is were Razz and Jess come from). We knew that we would like to try for some chocolate puppies this time. We have a great relationship with both Chuck Sr and Junior, and they said they had the perfect dog. They train some of the best Field and Hunt dogs around. If they said it,it must be true and it was a perfect fit! Now we have the cutest puppies around. I will try and get some pictures posted soon. Gustav has been cramping our weather a little bit. Soon as we get some sun, I'll get some pictures!

Sorry the pics are small, it won't let me upload any larger. Not sure why :>(

Up, Up and Away

Well this week as been full of firsts. The puppies have started to open their eyes and take in their surroundings. Some have started to walk. This is a little precarious because of the lining of the new whelping box. It has a slick bottom for ease of cleaning and sanitizing, not ease of learning to walk. They much prefer their puppy play time in the yard for walking. Not too hard now to keep them all herded, but another week or so we'll be in trouble. Puppies all over the place!! Shallbe is a great momma, she is taking really good care of the pups. We are always a little concerned with the first liter, but Shallbe has taken to motherhood like an old pro. I am waiting for the puppies eyes to open a little more and I'll post some more picutres. Boy are they cute! They're getting fatter by the day.

Sad Day

Today is a sad day as we lost one of the chocolate boys early this morning. There was some commotion out at the kennel about 1 am. We went out to take a look and smelled the very distinct odor of a skunk. We check on the girls and the pups; everyone was fine. When we went back out to the feed everyone this morning, we found our poor lost boy. We think that after the commotion Shallbe might have gone back in and laid on him. It's no one's fault, be we feel terrible non the less. Good bye sweet boy.

Puppy Outing to the Vet

Well, we loaded all the puppies up today. We took them to town and had Doc check them out. He says they are perfect. The girls in the office went crazy over our new family additions. The puppies weighed in at a good size. We figured they would as Shallbe and the dad are big. Puppies had their declaws done too. Ouch! They continue to eat like crazy! I think they are already bigger!

The Puppies Have Arrived

Shallbe had her first liter of puppies. They are adorable! Puppies and mom are doing well. We have 3 black females, 1 chocolate female and 5 chocolate males! They are eating and doing well. The other dogs seem curious and Razz actually alerted us that Shallbe was birthing. What a smart dog. Much smarter than Lassie! We are excited to have our first liter with chocolate puppies. Everyone will be ready for their new homes before Halloween. We look forward to them opening their eyes and developing their personalities. It's pretty difficult to tell them apart at this stage! Hooray, good job Shallbe!